ISAIAH 56
LORD commands leader to be faithful verse 1- 2
Thus says the LORD
Keep you judgment – and do justice
for MY salvation is near to come
and MY righteousness to be revealed
Blessed is the man that does this
and the son of man that lays hold on it
that keeps the Sabbath from polluting it
and keeps his hand from doing any evil
LORD honors whoever honors HIM verse 3- 5
Neither let the son of the stranger
that hath joined himself to the LORD speak
saying
The LORD has utterly separated me from HIS people
neither let the eunuch – say
Behold – I am a dry tree
For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs
that keep MY Sabbaths
and choose the things that please ME
and that take hold of MY covenant
EVEN unto them will I give in MINE house
and within MY walls
a place and a name better than of
the sons and of daughters
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off
LORD honors even faithful foreigners verse 6- 8
Also the sons of the stranger
that join themselves to the LORD
to serve HIM – and to love the
name of the LORD
to be HIS servants
every one that keeps the Sabbath
from polluting it
and takes hold of MY covenant
EVEN them will I bring to MY holy mountain
and make them joyful in MY HOUSE OF PRAYER
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be
accepted upon MINE altar
for MINE house shall be called a HOUSE OF PRAYER
for all people
The Lord GOD – which gathers the outcasts of Israel
says
Yet will I gather other to him
besides those that are gathered to him
LORD judges unfaithful leaders verse 9- 12
All the beasts of the field – come to devour – YEA
all the beasts in the forest
His watchmen are blind – they are all ignorant
they are all dumb dogs – they cannot bark
sleeping – lying down – loving to slumber
YEA – they are greedy dogs which can never have enough
and they are shepherds that cannot understand
they look their own way – every one for his gain
from his quarter
Come you – say they – I will fetch wine
and we will fill ourselves with strong drink
and tomorrow shall be as this day – and much more abundant
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Thus says the LORD: Keep you judgment, and do justice: for MY salvation is near to come, and MY righteousness to be revealed. (4941 “justice” [mishpat] means honesty, community loyalty, just deeds, righteousness, right, things done justly, piety, virtue, blameless behavior, honesty, godliness, or what is reliable)
DEVOTION: When we are part of the family of God our actions have to be different from the rest of the world. There are some people who don’t love the LORD but still act in a way that honors HIM. They are honest, hardworking, and treat others well but they still don’t have the LORD in their life.
Most people show that they are not a follow of the LORD by their daily actions and words. There needs to be a difference between a believer and an unbeliever.
Sometimes we can meet someone who seems to be a believer but their actions and words say something else. Our words and actions should be different if we are to be a witness for HIM.
We have a message to share with the world and our actions should show that we believe the message. That doesn’t mean that those who are genuine believers are sinless, only Jesus was sinless.
The believer’s life as to be one that keeps short accounts with the LORD. We are still sinners who need to daily confess our sins to HIM and HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins if we mean business with HIM.
The Bible tells us that the LORD is going to return one day and we don’t know the day, so, each day should be one in which we work for HIM and confess to HIM our sins and live with the help of the Holy Spirit a life that is pleasing to HIM.
CHALLENGE: Christ can return anytime and we need to be serving each moment of each day to please HIM. We will not be sinless but we can sin less. Keep short accounts with HIM!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD speak, saying, “The LORD has utterly separated me from His people”; Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). 914 בָּדַל [badal /baw·dal/] – to divide, separate, sever; to separate, set apart; to make a distinction, difference; to divide into parts.
DEVOTION: The church today is at a crossroads of sorts as it tries to bring the message of Christ’s love to a multitude of people that are maimed, tattooed and scarred! We look around us and our culture is presenting to people that it is acceptable to do many things to our bodies that once was considered wrong and sinful. So outwardly people are coming into churches and displaying symbols and markings of a sinful past. Whereas previously these things were a part of the history of the person, the church membership did not know it as because it was hidden or buried in their heart or mind. Now it is all over the skin and inked on them so that it cannot be hidden. Like Israel the church tended to remove, ostracize or forbid people who were different! In this verse the foreigner and the eunuch was forbidden from worship yet the Lord tells them of His love and place in eternity. He reminds Israel of His desire to include all people into His presence regardless of physical or biological shortcomings!
Paul reminds the Ephesians that those who once were far off are now brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph. 2:13) Where Paul understood the difficulties but he also had perceived the greatness of God’s love through Christ. John also understood this by stating in his Revelation that “…you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…” (Rev. 5:9).
CHALLENGE: Next time a person comes into the service you are attending with markings, jewelry and clothing that is different consider how much Jesus loves them and wants that love demonstrated. Then go, greet them and look beyond the outward and into the spirit where Jesus is at work! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
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: 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (8605 “prayer” [tephilah] means intercession, plea, supplication, a hymn, pray a prayer, or request.
DEVOTION: The temple in Jerusalem was to be a place where HIS followers could come to pray. It was a place to worship the LORD with the giving of sacrifices. HE had picked the seventh day of the week to call HIS Sabbath.
No work could be done on HIS day. Worship was the order of the day. The children of Israel were using HIS day just like any other day and He wanted to find individuals who would honor HIS day.
The LORD made it plain to Isaiah that HE would honor anyone from any nation who would honor HIM properly. It didn’t matter if the individual was eunuch who normally couldn’t enter the temple area. HE was trying to inform them that even those from other nations who honored HIM would be accepted in HIS house.
Those whose hearts were right with the LORD could go to HIM with their requests and HE would answer them. HE would accept their offerings. God was not an elitist. HE doesn’t care about annual income or what family you were born into. HE only cares about your heart attitude.
HE would receive honor on HIS day from the eunuchs or the sons of strangers, if they would honor HIM. HIS own people just wanted to do their own thing on HIS day. HIS own spiritual leaders or shepherds wanted to do their own thing on HIS day.
The spiritual leaders were preaching a false doctrine. The LORD was opening the door in the future for Gentiles to worship. There was coming a time when Gentiles would be welcome in the temple. Gentiles would be under the New Covenant.
Today we have many in our pulpits preaching a false doctrine. The false doctrine is that “we don’t have to Biblically worship the LORD, HE will take whatever we will give HIM.”
We need to make sure that our churches are noted for their Biblical prayers, fellowship, breaking of bread and apostle’s doctrine. We should have our doors open for prayer all the time, not just in times of national crisis.
Are we daily praying for one another? Are we worshiping the LORD in spirit and in truth? Are we listening to shepherds who are teaching the truth? Are we remembering the cross of Christ with our communion table?
CHALLENGE: The joy of the LORD should be in our hearts each time we enter the church. Manifest this in your life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 11 You, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (7648 “enough” [soba] means full, satisfied, satiety, abundance, fullness, plenty, or glutted condition.)
DEVOTION: Satisfaction is hard to find in our life. It seems that we have a tendency to always want a little bit more. We are truly blessed as a servant of the LORD with our eternal home in heaven but we still want all we can get here on this earth. It is a problem in our thinking.
However, there are worse problems. If a leader is only concerned about himself or herself the ones under their influence suffer. Here we find that the prophets and priests and other leaders were only thinking of themselves.
They were shepherds or leaders who were leading the people in the wrong direction. They were being poor examples to them regarding their personal lifestyle. They were being poor examples by their teachings.
Here we have spiritual leaders who didn’t understand what they were teaching. They were not students of the Old Testament, as far as, their learning for the sins of the past. They didn’t learn what poor leadership did throughout the history of Israel.
There were acting like Balaam and only wanted what they could get out of their position of importance. Money was more important than truth. Their own personal desires were more important than the spiritual growth of the people.
Who suffers when leadership is only after what they can get from the sheep? The sheep are the ones who suffer the most. They think they are receiving proper instructions from their leaders and they are not. Most get to the point of just wanting to hear what would make them happy rather than the truth.
It is a two way street. If the people would hold their leaders accountable they would teach the truth. If the leaders cared they would only be concerned for the sheep and let the LORD give them what they need.
Leaders need to depend on the LORD to provide for what they need. People need to not neglect those in leadership who are more concerned with their spiritual life than their own personal gain.
CHALLENGE: Living the way God wants us to live can be challenging but it also can be rewarding. Living our own way leads others away from the LORD.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayer verse 7
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Keeps the Sabbath verse 2, 4, 6
Holy mountain verse 7
House of prayer verse 7 (2x)
Burnt offerings verse 7
Sacrifices verse 7
Altar of the LORD verse 7
House of the LORD verse 7
Gather people to HIM verse 8
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 3, 4, 6
Righteousness of the LORD verse 1
MY house and within MY walls verse 5
Name of the LORD verse 6
MY house shall be called a house of prayer
for ALL people verse 7
Lord – Adonai (Owner, Master) verse 8
GOD – Jehovah verse 8
Lord GOD verse 8
Gathers outcasts of Israel verse 8
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Son of man verse 2
Son of the stranger verse 3, 6
Join themselves to the LORD
Serve the LORD
Love the name of the LORD
HIS servants
Keeps the Sabbath
Takes hold of God’s covenant
LORD promises to bring to HIS mountain
Joyful in LORD’S house of prayer
Their sacrifices shall be accepted
upon altar
Eunuch verse 3, 4
All people verse 7
Watchmen are blind verse 10
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Polluting the Sabbath verse 2, 6
Evil verse 2
Blind to the LORD verse 10
Ignorant verse 10
Loving to slumber verse 10
Greedy = never have enough verse 11
Shepherds without understanding verse 11
Look to their own way verse 11
Everyone to his own gain verse 11
Fill with strong drink verse 12
Only thinking of themselves verse 12
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Keep judgments verse 1
Do Justice verse 1
Salvation verse 1
Blessed verse 2
Lay hold of justice toward others verse 2
Keep the Sabbath verse 2, 4, 6
Keep hand from evil verse 2
Joins to the LORD verse 3
Separated verse 3
Please the LORD verse 4
Take hold of God’s covenant verse 4, 6
Everlasting name verse 5
Serve verse 6
Love verse 6
Servant verse 6
Joyful verse 7
Sacrifice verse 7
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Holy mountain verse 7
Outcasts of Israel verse 8
Beasts of the field verse 9
Beasts of the forest verse 9
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Everlasting name verse 5
Cut off verse 5
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QUOTES regarding passage
Spiritual leaders are “watchmen” (Ezek. 3:17–21; 33:1–11) who must be awake to the dangers that threaten God’s people. They are “shepherds” who must put the care of the flock ahead of their own desires. When the foreign invaders (“beasts of the field”) come, the shepherds must protect the flock, no matter what the danger might be. See Acts 20:18–38 for the description of a faithful spiritual ministry. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Comforted (pp. 148–149). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Between the picture of watchmen with no concern for security (10a–d) and thoughtless shepherds (11c–e), Isaiah puts his finger on the cardinal sin of the ruler: insatiable self-concern (10e–11b). It would be laughable were it not tragic to read side by side watchmen and blind (10a), dogs and mute (10c). They are unqualified (knowledge), unmotivated (lie around), insatiable (never enough), undiscerning (understanding, the ability to see to the heart of a thing), improvident (tomorrow … better). Life at public expense is a bottomless purse. (Motyer, J. A. (1999). Vol. 20: Isaiah: An introduction and commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (398–399). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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The watchmen—which almost certainly include false prophets (cf. Jer 6:17; Ezek 3:17; 33:2–7) and also perhaps other leaders of the people belong properly to a different picture, that of a city in danger; but they are soon translated into the dominant scene as dogs, set to watch the sheep (v.10). Blindness, muteness, indolence, and self-seeking greed describe different aspects of their culpable ineffectiveness. When the analogy moves from the dogs to the shepherds (v.11), the same characteristics can be seen. Verse 12 graphically represents the drunkard’s careless abandon (cf. 22:13) and inebriated optimism. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Is 56:10–12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
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10. His watchmen—Israel’s spiritual leaders (Is 62:6; Ez 3:17).
dumb dogs—image from bad shepherds’ watchdogs, which fail to give notice, by barking, of the approach of wild beasts.
blind—(Mt 23:16).
sleeping, lying down—rather, “dreamers, sluggards” [Lowth]. Not merely sleeping inactive, but under visionary delusions.
loving to slumber—not merely slumbering involuntarily, but loving it.
11. greedy—literally, “strong” (that is, insatiable) in appetite (Ez 34:2, 3; Mic 3:11).
cannot understand—unable to comprehend the wants of the people, spiritually: so Is 56:10, “cannot bark.”
look to … own way—that is, their own selfish interests; not to the spiritual welfare of the people (Je 6:13; Ez 22:27).
from his quarter—rather, “from the highest to the lowest” [Lowth]. “From his quarter”; that is, from one end to the other of them, one and all (Ge 19:4).
12. fetch wine—language of the national teachers challenging one another to drink. Barnes translates, “I will take another cup” (Is 5:11).
to-morrow, &c.—Their self-indulgence was habitual and intentional: not merely they drink, but they mean to continue so. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Is 56:10–12). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
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Isaiah’s scathing indictment takes on more intense anger as he condemns leaders for having an insatiable appetite for the soft lifestyle and a greedy drive “to do their own thing” for selfish gain (v. 11). As another bit of evidence for the single-author theory of Isaiah and the unity of the book, the prophet brings back the “woe” that he pronounced against the leaders of Israel who had become “champions at mixing drinks” (5:22). Now, the false shepherds are bold to call for a drunken orgy that will dull their prophetic senses and hallucinate their vision until they believe that “tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant” (v. 12). (McKenna, D., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1994). Vol. 18: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 18 : Isaiah 40-66. The Preacher’s Commentary series (188). Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Inc.)
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The “watchmen” are the prophets here, as everywhere else (Isa. 52:8, cf., Isa. 21:6, Hab. 2:1; Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 3:17). The prophet is like a watchman (tsōpheh) stationed upon his watch-tower (specula), whose duty it is, when he sees the sword come upon the land, to blow the shōphâr, and warn the people (Ezek. 33:1–9). But just as Jeremiah speaks of bad prophets among the captives (Jer. 29:1–32), and the book of Ezekiel is full of reproaches at the existing neglect of the office of watchman and shepherd; so does the prophet here complain that the watchmen of the nation are blind, in direct opposition to both their title and their calling; they are all without either knowledge or the capacity for knowledge (vid., Isa. 44:9; 45:20). They ought to resemble watchful sheep-dogs (Job 30:1), which bark when the flock is threatened; but they are dumb, and cannot bark (nâbhach, root nab), and leave the flock to all its danger. Instead of being “seers” (chōzīm), they are ravers (hōzīm; cf., Isa. 19:18, where we have a play upon הַחֶרֶס in הַהֶרֶס). הֹזִים, from הָזָה, to rave in sickness, n. act. hadhajan (which Kimchi compares to parlare in sônno); hence the Targum נָיְמִים, LXX ἐνυπνιαζόμενοι A φανταζόμενοι, S ὁραματισταί, Jer. videntes vana. The predicates which follow are attached to the leading word hōzīm (raving), if not precisely as adjectives, yet as more minutely descriptive. Instead of watching, praying, wrestling, to render themselves susceptible of visions of divine revelations for the good of their people, and to keep themselves in readiness to receive them, they are idle, loving comfortable ease, talkers in their sleep. And the dogs, viz., those prophets who resemble the worst of them (see at Isa. 40:8, p. 394), are עַזֵּי נֶפֶשׁ, of violent, unrestrained soul, insatiable. Their soul lives and moves in the lowest parts of their nature; it is nothing but selfish avarice, self-indulgent greediness, violent restlessness of passion, that revolves perpetually around itself. With the words “and these are shepherds,” the range of the prophet’s vision is extended to the leaders of the nation generally; for when the prophet adds as an exclamation, “And such (hi = tales) are shepherds!” he applies the glaring contrast between calling and conduct to the holders of both offices, that of teacher and that of ruler alike. For, apart from the accents, it would be quite at variance with the general use of the personal pronoun המה, to apply it to any other persons than those just described (viz., in any such sense as this: “And those, who ought to be shepherds, do not know”). Nor is it admissible to commence an adversative minor clause with והמה, as Knobel does, “whereas they are shepherds;” for, since the principal clause has הכלבים (dogs) as the subject, this would introduce a heterogeneous mixture of the two figures, shepherds’ dogs and shepherds. We therefore take והמה רעים as an independent clause: “And it is upon men of such a kind, that the duty of watching and tending the nation devolves!” These רֹעִים (for which the Targum reads רָעִים) are then still further described: they know not to understand, i.e., they are without spiritual capacity to pass an intelligible judgment (compare the opposite combination of the two verbs in Isa. 32:4); instead of caring for the general good, they have all turned to their own way (ledarkâm), i.e., to their own selfish interests, every one bent upon his own advantage (בֶּצַע from בָּצַע, abscindere, as we say, seinen Schnitt zu machen, to reap an advantage, lit., to make an incision). מִקָּצֵהוּ, from his utmost extremity (i.e., from that of his own station, including all its members), in other words, “throughout the length and breadth of his own circle;” qâtseh, the end, being regarded not as the terminal point, but as the circumference (as in Gen. 19:4; 47:21, and Jer. 51:31).
Isa. 56:12. An office-bearer of the kind described is now introduced per mimesin as speaking. V. 12. “Come here, I will fetch wine, and let us drink meth; and to-morrow shall be like to-day, great, excessively abundant.” He gives a banquet, and promises the guests that the revelry shall be as great to-morrow as to-day, or rather much more glorious. יֹום מָחָר is the day of to-morrow, τὸ ἐπαύριον, for mâchâr is always without an article; hence et fiet uti hic (dies) dies crastinus, viz., magnus supra modum valde. יֶתֶר, or יֵתֶר (as it is to be pointed here according to Kimchi, Michlol 167b, and Wörterbuch), signifies superabundance; it is used here adverbially in the sense of extra-ordinarily, beyond all bounds (differing therefore from יֹותֵר, “more,” or “singularly,” in the book of Ecclesiastes). (Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (2002). Commentary on the Old Testament. (Is 56:10–12). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.)
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56:9-12. The Lord called for the beasts (Gentile powers, probably Babylon) to devour (punish) Israel because she was spiritually insensitive. The watchmen (cf. Jer. 6:17; Ezek. 33:7), priests and religious leaders, were blind and ignorant and were like dogs who like to sleep and eat. Good shepherds know the best grazing ground for their flocks. But these leaders were ignorant (cf. Isa. 56:10) shepherds going their own way like their sheep! (cf. 53:6) They were more interested in their own gain than in their people’s welfare. Concerned only with their own pleasure, they failed to consider that judgment will come (56:12). (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Is 56:9–12). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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56:9–12 A commentary on Israel’s false prophets and irresponsible leaders who led them astray.
56:9–11 beasts … watchmen … shepherds. These titles identify the wicked; other prophets refer to Israel’s enemies as beasts (Jer 12:9; Eze 34:5, 8). Prophets, who should have been watchmen and warned Israel to repent, ignored their responsibility (cf. Eze 3:17). Priests also failed to lead Israel in paths of righteousness (Eze 34:1–6; Zec 11:15–17).
56:12 wine … strong drink. This is indicative of the self-indulgent irresponsibility of the leaders. Drunkenness completely obliterated any concern that leaders had for their people. See notes on Pr 31:4–7. (MacArthur, J. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible : New American Standard Bible. (Is 56:9–12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 12. Come ye, say they, &c.] Either to their fellow bishops and priests, when got together, jovially carousing; or to the common people, encouraging them in luxury and intemperance: I will fetch wine; out of his cellar, having good store of it, and that of the best, hence called priests’ wine; and so, at Paris and Louvain, the Popish priests called their wine vinum theologicum: and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; fill their bellies and skins full of it till drunken with it; the drunkenness of priests in Popish countries is notorious, which seems here to be taxed and prophesied of: for to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant; the morrow shall be as good, and merry, and jovial a day as this, and better; and we shall have as much wine and strong drink to drink, or more; this they say to encourage their companions to drink, and not spare, and to put away the evil day far from them. The Targum is, “saying, come, let us take wine, and be inebriated with old wine; and our dinner tomorrow shall be better than to-day, large, very large.” (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 5, p. 333). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Deuteronomy 3
The transfer of authority from Moses to Joshua is announced.
INSIGHT
The past is a picture of the future. When trying to determine what will be, it is important to know what has been.
Throughout the wilderness journey, God reminds Israel what He has done in the past-to give them courage and hope for the future. As the reins of leadership are passed from Moses to Joshua, the Lord encourages Joshua with a review of history: “Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two [past] kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass” (Deuteronomy 3:21).
The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When we face the giants in our lives, we can take heart from the Lord’s words to Joshua: “You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22). Our giants are not flesh and blood. They are spiritual and emotional. But the Lord must still defeat them. Trust!
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GOD FORGIVES SIN
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. John 1:5
God, being God, cannot simply forgive sin. Now the common idea about God, the one that we have instinctively, is that when we admit we have sinned, all that is necessary is that we should come to God, say we are very sorry, and God will forgive us. But according to the Bible that is impossible, and I do not hesitate to use that word. As a preacher of the Christian Gospel, I am compelled to say this, and I say it with reverence: God, because He is God, cannot just forgive sin like that.
If you want me to prove what I am saying, this is how I do it. If God could have forgiven sin just by saying, “I forgive,” He would have done so, and Christ would never have been sent into this world. The work that was given to Him to do, this work, this assignment, this task, was given to the Lord Jesus Christ because, I say again, without it God cannot forgive sin. He must not only justify the ungodly—He must remain just. The way of salvation must be consistent with the character of God. He cannot deny Himself; He cannot change Himself; He is unchangeable. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). He is “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). He is eternally the same, and He is absolutely righteous and holy and just. He cannot remain that and simply forgive sin.
It is wrong to say, “God is love, and because He is love, He will forgive me.” My friend, He cannot, because He is God! The work of Christ was essential because of the character of God, and it was essential because of man being in sin; something had to be done to render man fit for God.
A Thought to Ponder: God, being God, cannot simply forgive sin. (From Saved in Eternity, pp. 99-100 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Beginning of the Creation
“For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.” (Mark 13:19)
The phrase “from the beginning of the creation” or equivalent occurs at least six times in the New Testament, indicating beyond question that the world was created at a definite beginning-point of time. All other cosmogonies, on the other hand, are evolutionary cosmogonies, which deny a real beginning for the space/time cosmos at all.
What almost seems a redundancy in our text is the phrase “the creation which God created.” Evidently the Lord thought it vital to stress the fact of divine creation, especially as the great last-days “affliction” draws near.
That the “creation” mentioned in this verse refers explicitly to the cosmos is evident from the parallel passage in Matthew 24:21, where the same prophecy is rendered as follows: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time.” Here “world” is actually the Greek kosmos, referring to the ordered universe of heaven and Earth. Thus, according to the Bible, the entire universe (including even time itself) came into existence at the “beginning” when God created it, as recorded in Genesis 1:1.
Note especially the significance of Mark 10:6 in this connection: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” Jesus was here quoting from the account of the creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:27) and included what seemed an almost incidental confirmation that God created them, not after many billions of years of cosmic evolution, but from the very beginning of creation! Man and woman were not divine afterthoughts, as evolution would imply, but were the very reason why God created the universe in the first place. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Christian means “little Christ.” We want to be just like HIM, to imitate HIM in every way possible so that we could be mistaken for HIM. How do we do it? By following HIS lead; by doing what HE did. (p. 39)
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Doing good for others does good for us. It reverses the destructive process of
self-absorption, moves us into the healthy arena of seeing the needs of others, and ultimately opens us up to the reality of God and His destiny for us. (p. 40)
(Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah)
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